Every year, millions of cattle, sheep, and goats are sent from Australia to be slaughtered in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, where there are few animal welfare laws to protect them. When they reach their destination, they may be subject to abuse and torture before being inhumanely slaughtered. Thousands of animals die on the sea journey–usually because of illness like salmonella or heat stress–and they receive no medical treatment, not even euthanasia.

Those that survive the grueling trip will end up in a stark concrete slaughterhouse. There, many will have their throats slit–while still fully conscious. It has been reported that the animals have their throats cut an average of 11 times before dying. During an investigation of Indonesian slaughter practices in 2011, investigators found that many cattle were brutally tortured the night before being slaughtered. They were whipped in the face, and their tails were broken and eyes gouged. Animals exported to Egypt regularly have their leg tendons cut in order to disable them before slaughter.

Australian tax payer money is being used to install devices that only make the slaughter more inhumane, such as restraint boxes to keep cattle enclosed in painfully small spaces. After footage aired of sheep abuse in Kuwait, the Australian public was horrified, but the Australian federal government still backs the practice. However, there is a growing movement calling for the end of these brutalities. Sign this petition to tell the Australian Government that animal exports must be regulated.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Prime Minister Julia Gillard,

I’m sure you are aware of the outcry over Australia’s live animal exports, and that only makes your lack of action more disappointing. While Australia may monitor its animals while they’re within its borders, it is time to extend that protection to all places Australian animals travel to. It is unjust and inhumane to allow for these acts of violence against animals, and I urge you to put economic concerns aside and focus on the lives at stake.

Australia is a forward-thinking and respected country, and putting an end to these cruelties could help lead other countries along similar paths. This is a matter of international significance, and the time has come for you to take a stand against the brutality. Please consider ways to protect these animals and put these methods into practice.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: Hans via Pixabay

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3 Comments

Food animals are paying the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives for our use. It is inhumane to allow them to be treated in anyway but with respect.
Please slaughter them humanely before shipping, or else please don’t ship them at all. To ship them live leaves them open to at minimum bewildering circumstances and the possibility of poor treatment.
With this information given, oversite of travel and treatment should be required.
Thank you.